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Elvis Chidera

Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer Programming — Book Summary

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Six blind sages were shown an elephant and met to discuss their experience. “It’s wonderful,” said the first, “an elephant is like a rope: slender and flexible. ” “No, no, not at all,” said the second, “an elephant is like a tree: sturdily planted on the ground.” “Marvelous,” said the third, “an elephant is like a wall.” “Incredible,” said the fourth, “an elephant is a tube filled with water.” “What a strange piecemeal beast this is,” said the fifth. “Strange indeed,” said the sixth, “but there must be some underlying harmony. Let us investigate the matter further.” – Freely adapted from a traditional Indian fable

A programming language is like a natural, human language in that it favors certain metaphors, images, and ways of thinking. – Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas, Seymour Papert (1980)

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